David Hassell is a serial entrepreneur and is the co-founder and CEO of 15Five, a performance management solution that allows employees to self-reflect on successes and challenges, stay focused on key objectives, and get regular feedback from managers who support them in reaching their potential.
Education
David Hassell earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Tufts University in 1998. Hassell lives in San Francisco and an avid kiteboarder and skier.
Early career
In 1999, Hassell co-founded AdClip Networks, an online advertising technology company intended at creating alternatives to the predominant banner ads of the day, beginning with online coupons that could be “clipped” off a web page. It was later re-branded as Endai Worldwide and directed more broadly on a variety of online marketing technologies and services. Endai has been acknowledged on the Inc 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. Hassell sold his share in Endai Worldwide in 2006.
In 2004, Hassell co-founded Kite Adventures, a company that deals directed kiteboarding tours off the coast of northeastern Brazil. Hassell, an avid kitesurfer, attends an annual gathering of Silicon Valley CEOs, and other tech-world entrepreneurs on Maui called MaiTai. Charles River Ventures created MaiTai with partner Bill Tai, and Susi Mai, a professional kiteboarder. It annually features consultants, engineers, and venture capitalists from Facebook, Apple, and Google, among others.
In 2010, Hassell with Rob Wensing, a former President of Entrepreneurs’ Organization, co-founded Strategy Day, a consulting company that operates with CEOs, and executive teams to achieve strategic plans and strengthen focus. At the same time, Hassell began work on a comparable idea for helping communication within companies. This idea, 15Five, was launched in 2011.
15Five
Hassell founded and the CEO of 15Five, an employee feedback system, with the hope to assist people in attaining their fullest potential at work. The concept for 15Five began with Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, who performed a weekly “5-15 report” to keep track of his business and employees while he enjoyed his adventurous life.
The concept behind 15Five is employees spend “15 minutes to write the reports, and managers consume not more than 5 minutes to read them.” The purpose is to provide quick and easy communication, between employees and the managers using the interface that Hassell states is based on the design value of elegant simplicity.
In 2011, Hassell connected with the CEO of Sundia Brad Oberwager. Hassell was then practicing a method called 15/5 reports in his over 100 staffs multinational business. The process highlighted critical information from employees and avoided the typical situation of bad news traveling slowly. Hassell immediately thought it would be valuable for any high-performing team or company.
15Five produces cloud-based software created to assess and develop employee performance. Its web-based employee engagement and continuous performance management software assists build high performing teams by combining 1-on-1s, OKRs, 360 reviews, and employee recognition in one easy weekly check-in. Approximately 2,000 businesses worldwide use 15Five to enable employees to share their challenges and triumphs, remain focused on primary objectives, and receive regular feedback from managers who help them in attaining their potential.
Funding rounds
In January 2013, 15Five raised $1 million in a seed round from a list of investors, including Richmond Management, Jumpstart Ventures, ex-Mashable editor Benn Par’s DominateFund, 500 Startups, William Guttman, Sincerely CEO Matt Brezina, USTREAM Founder John Ham, Jason Calacanis, Yammer Founder David Sacks, and Khosla’s Benjamin Ling. In August 2013, 15Five raised an undisclosed in a venture round from Slow Ventures.
In October 2014, 15Five raised $2.2 million in a seed round from new investor Matrix Partners, Point Nine Capital, Slow Ventures, leadership guru Simon Sinek and JustFab’s Adam Goldenberg participated in this round. Matrix’s general partner Josh Hannah also joined 15Five’s board. In December 2018, 15Five raised $8.2 million in a Series A round, led by Origin Ventures, with the participation from New Ground Ventures, leading SaaS investor Matrix Partners, Jason Calacanis’ LAUNCH Fund, and Chaifetz Group, who co-led the startup’s funding.
In June 2019, 15Five raised $3.8 million in a Series B round. 15Five has raised a total of $15.2 million in its funding rounds. 15Five has $4.1 million in estimated revenue annually. 15Five competes with Reflektive, Saberr, and Culture Amp.
Reception
David Hassell has also served as the President of Entrepreneurs’ Organization in San Francisco chapter, a global non-profit with the stated intention of supporting entrepreneurs learn and grow. Forbes named Hassell as “the most connected man you don’t know in Silicon Valley.” Hassell has been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, VentureBeat, and the Financial Post, Inc.